South Africa
2010 will be only the third time that Australia, or The Socceroos as they are better known, will have qualified to the finals of the World Cup. The first appearance of the Socceroos in Germany 1974 ended with a first round exit. Their second attempt was much better in Germany in 2006, where Gus Hiddink's side were cruelly denied further progress due to a highly dubious penalty awarded to 10-man Italy late in the game. Totti put the penalty away, and The Aussies came home.

Australia left the Oceania Football Confederation Qualification Group in March 2005, to join the far more competitive and progressive Asian Football Confederation. Since then, progress has been made on the world stage, The Socceroos have reached the 2010 World Cup Finals undeafeted in all their matches, and have conceded just a single goal.

The Socceroos current coach, Dutchman Pim Verbeek, is by nature a conversative one. With a strong focus on defence, the Aussies are difficult to break down. But current attacking threat is meagre and places huge reliance on Everton striker Tim Cahill to continue his role as the Socceroos top goalscorer.

Australia, ranked as the 21st best world football team by FIFA, are drawn in Group D, alongside Germany, Serbia and Ghana. Previous Aussie meetings with Ghana have produced just a single defeat and 3 points should be achievable. The tough Germans and progressive Serbs will be a different factor though. Sportsbet are top price for Australia to win the World Cup, at $126.00, and offer the Aussies at realistic odds of $1.45 to exit the competition at the group stage.

The 2010 World Cup will be the biggest betting event ever to take place, and Australian online bookies will be licking their lips in anticipation.